Catastrophe on the Streets: Fire Causes Destruction, Trees Uprooted, Roads Blocked - Firefighters Voice Disapproval
In western Baden-Württemberg, the city of Offenburg experienced a severe storm on Friday evening, resulting in significant damage and disruptions.
The storm, which featured heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms, left a trail of destruction in its wake. A compact car parked in Prinz-Eugen-Straße was destroyed by a fallen branch, and in some places, the drainage system couldn't handle the water, causing flooding. As many as 40 cellars were flooded in Offenburg, and the main access road to the Ortenau Clinic was temporarily blocked by falling branches.
The chaos on the streets was reported by the fire department, who were called out at 5:10 PM for numerous technical assistance and safety measures. Trees were uprooted or snapped during the storm, some of which fell onto parked vehicles and even onto a stationary freight train, leading to significant rail traffic disruption.
In addition, a photovoltaic system of a company in the northeast part of Offenburg was destroyed by falling branches. A construction equipment rental's rooftop was also damaged in the north of the city.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, but at least two teenagers were lightly injured at home by shattered window glass and treated in hospital.
Emergency management teams continue to assess the damage, and the German Meteorological Service (DWD) is still warning of further severe thunderstorms in southwest Germany. The extent of the damage caused by the storm is not yet clear, but it is estimated to be in the millions of euros.
It's worth noting that no information about the Stuttgart City Festival, the Hangman's Festival, "Selected Places" in Esslingen, or VfB Stuttgart was provided in the paragraph.
[1] German Meteorological Service (DWD) warning: https://www.dwd.de/DE/warnungen/warnungen.html
- The severe thunderstorm in Offenburg, classified as general-news, also brought about accidents, such as a fallen branch destroying a car and tree branches blocking the main access road to the Ortenau Clinic.
- The weather conditions, consisting of heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms, not only caused flooding in 40 cellars but also led to the destruction of a photovoltaic system and damage to a construction equipment rental's rooftop, further adding to the estimated millions of euros in repair costs.
